POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam), local Highway Superintendents and representatives today urged New York State to include more infrastructure funding for municipalities in the 2014/15 State Budget and a greater commitment from New York State to address infrastructure needs.

HALDANE VOLLEYBALL TEAM HONORED BY STATE SENATE WITH RESOLUTION FROM SENATOR GIPSON

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) welcomed student-athletes and coaches from the Haldane High School Girls Volleyball Class-D State Championship team at the State Capitol on March 12, 2014. The State Senate passed a resolution, introduced by Senator Gipson, commemorating their championship season. The Blue Devil’s volleyball team was invited onto the Senate floor where Senator Gipson signed and presented them with a copy of the resolution.

ALBANY, NY -- New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) issued the following statement on today’s Regent nominations during a joint session of the State Legislature:

"Today, I joined a group of Democratic and Republican legislators, including many freshmen from the Hudson Valley like myself, to cast no-votes during the Regent nominations. This antiquated process of selecting Regents is proof why there has been so little accountability during the failed implementation of the Common Core in New York State.

SENATOR GIPSON ANNOUNCES HUDSON VALLEY AFFORDABLE ENERGY PLAN WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY

WAPPINGER FALLS, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) last evening announced his Hudson Valley Affordable Energy Plan to address the many energy issues currently facing Hudson Valley residents. Community supporters who share his concerns, such as the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Central Hudson, Riverkeeper and local business owners, joined Senator Gipson at the Wappinger Town Hall.

“I refuse to sit back while hard working families and businesses in the Hudson Valley are faced with regressive energy taxes and unnecessary rate hikes,” said Senator Gipson. “This plan presents realistic actions, with precedent, that with enough support can begin to address the energy issues facing our community. Ratepayers are in for a rude awakening and we must make our voices heard.”

SENATOR GIPSON STANDS WITH COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION TO STRIP PENSIONS FOR CONVICTED OFFICIALS

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today stood with a bipartisan coalition of New York State Senators and Assemblymembers in support of legislation, S.1133/A.7173, co-sponsored by Senator Gipson, that would strip pension benefits from public officials convicted of a felony in violation of the public trust.

SENATOR GIPSON TO VOTE 'NO' ON REINSTATING INCUMBENT REGENTS DUE TO FAILED COMMON CORE IMPLEMENTATION

ALBANY, NY -- New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) issued the following statement announcing that he will vote "NO" on reinstating all incumbent Department of Education Regents:

"I will not be voting to reinstate the incumbent Regents because students, parents, educators and taxpayers deserve to have accountability in their state government, and it is obvious that the implementation of the Common Core Curriculum has been a failure.

SENATOR GIPSON’S STATEMENT ON NEW YORK’S PARTICIPATION IN “HEAT-AND-EAT” PROGRAM

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) issued the following statement commending New York State’s plan to protect approximately $457 million a year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that would have harshly impacted New Yorkers due to cuts in the recently enacted federal Farm Bill.

“By stepping up to the plate and participating in the ‘Heat-and-Eat’ program, New York State will save benefits for nearly 300,000 homes across the state, including Dutchess and Putnam Counties. I applaud Governor Cuomo for doing the right thing on behalf of New Yorkers who need assistance, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and children who rely on this program to keep their homes heated during the winter, and food on their plates.

SENATOR GIPSON’S STATEMENT ON THE RETIREMENT OF DCRCOC PRESIDENT & CEO CHARLIE NORTH

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) issued the following statement following the announcement that Charlie North, President and CEO, of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce will be retiring.

“Charlie has committed over twenty years of hard work improving not only our business community but our community as a whole through the Chamber and its foundation. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D – Dutchess, Putnam) and Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor (R – Dutchess) today announced bipartisan legislation (S.6462, A.8721) that would give judges in New York State the discretion to allow the sentencing for two or more crimes through a single act to run consecutively when one of the crimes results in a homicide under Article 125 of the New York State Penal Law.

The legislators were joined by the families of Shawn and Patricia Wonderly. The Wonderly family, along with other members of the community, presented the idea for this legislation after a personal tragedy. On August 1, 2012, Ryan Floryan ran a red light at the Eastbound Arterial and Worrall Avenue in the City of Poughkeepsie and slammed into a car carrying Shawn and Patricia Wonderly of the City of Poughkeepsie. The couple was killed in the crash. Thankfully, their two children Abigail, now 9, and Matthew Wonderly, now 8, who were also in the car, survived the crash.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) met with his Dutchess and Putnam County Veterans Advisory Committee last evening at American Legion Post 1302 in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Representatives from local VFW posts, American Legion posts and organizations that provide services to veterans joined Senator Gipson to discuss actions by the State Legislature and the needs and issues important to veterans and their families in the Hudson Valley.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) urged New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah to expand funding in the Department of Health’s 2014/15 budget for Lyme and tick-borne illness research, education and outreach in a recent letter. Senator Gipson has introduced the TickRAID Act, S.5983, which would appropriate $1 million to the Health Department’s Tick Borne Disease Institute. Past funding has been cut by almost 50 percent over the past 6 years.

SENATOR TERRY GIPSON HOSTS ADVOCATES FROM THE ANDERSON CENTER FOR AUTISM AT STATE CAPITOL

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) hosted a breakfast for parents, families, and staff members ​from the Anderson Center for Autism at the State Capitol for their 2014 Advocacy Day on February 11, 2014. During the event, Senator Gipson discussed the 2014/2015 State Budget as well as other legislation.

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) announced that the New York State Senate unanimously passed a resolution, introduced by Senator Gipson, memorializing the life of Pete Seeger. A legendary folk musician and activist, Pete Seeger passed away on Monday, January 27, 2014.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today announced that the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has issued a Memorandum of Support for his legislation, the County Payment Relief Act (CPR), S.5996.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today issued the following statement on the passing of Pete Seeger:

“I’m saddened by the news of Pete Seeger’s passing, but grateful to have been touched by his celebrated life. His music provided a soundtrack to decades of change in our nation and his advocacy provided a voice for so many important causes including labor, civil rights and protecting our environment, especially our beloved Hudson River.

HUDSON VALLEY AND LONG ISLAND LAWMAKERS PARTNER FOR INCREASED LYME AND TICK FUNDING IN NEW YORK AFTER YEARS OF CUTS

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) have introduced the Research Aid for Tick-Borne Diseases Act (TickRAID Act), S.5983/SA8425-A, in both the Senate and Assembly that would provide the New York State Department of Health’s Tick Borne Disease Institute with a $1 million appropriation to promote research, detection, education and outreach on tick-borne illness through a competitive grant process. Previous funding has been cut by almost 50 percent over the past 6 years.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today commended the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) decision to delay their case on the suggested power line project that would potentially impact the towns of Clinton, Hyde Park, Milan and Pleasant Valley.

“This is just the beginning of the budget process. As we work to finalize the 2014/15 budget, among my top priorities are: cutting taxes, properly funding public education while addressing the serious issues related to the Common Core Curriculum, delivering unfunded mandate and property tax relief, proper funding for Lyme research, ethics reform and stimulating job creation.

Highlights legislation for a full repeal of the regressive MTA Payroll Tax.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) has called on New York State to include counties that are within the MTA Payroll Tax Region in Governor Cuomo’s plans to grant a 0% corporate income tax rate for upstate manufacturers. Governor Cuomo’s current proposal, highlighted in his 2014 State of the State address, excludes upstate counties such as Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange and Dutchess that are within the MTA Payroll Tax Region.